More work at Irish Road tanker explosion site set to repair road, eliminate odor

DAVSION TWP, MI – The lingering effects of a tanker explosion that shut down a portion of Irish Road earlier this year are still being felt and smelt months later.

Davison Township, Genesee County Road Commission and Michigan Department of Transportation worked together to determine logistics and detours on further repairs at Irish under the Interstate 69 overpass that will cost roughly $3 million to repair and close the section for at least two months.

"It was brought up at the meeting that it would expedite the work if we closed (northbound) Irish Road for the work," said Linda Burchell, manager of the MDOT's Transportation Service Center in Davison. "The County and Township were at the meeting and agreed with the closure."

A tanker carrying crude oil Jan. 2 careened off eastbound I-69 and crashed onto Irish, between Davison and Lapeer roads, igniting thousands of gallons of oil that exploded and left black soot marks that remain underneath the bridge that remain and have caused an odor to linger in the area.

Irish Road was closed for nearly three weeks following the explosion as crews cleaned up the site. Burchell said the steel and structural integrity of the bridge were previously tested before allowing the area to reopen following the explosion, as well as temporary supports put in place and placing barricades up where the tanker went off the interstate.

With MDOT in charge of the bridge, road commission the lead on Irish and township overseeing a non-motorized pathway under the bridge, Burchell said a participation agreement has been signed for the work amounting to $896,771 to be done by Commerce Township-based C.A. Hull.

"This is kind of unique in that what we have out there is three jurisdictions," said Burchell, adding the majority of the work will take place on the northbound lanes of Irish.

Proposed detours will include directing traffic to M-15 and loop around onto westbound I-69 back to Irish Road, tacking on around four miles in driving distance. The same detour will be used for a ramp closure to westbound I-69. The detour is expected to be in place for around two-and-one half months.

The ramp from southbound Irish to eastbound I-69 will be closed for around two weeks as well to repair damage of a barrier wall. The detour for that work will send traffic down Irish to Lapeer Road and direct motorists east on Lapeer to M-15 and back onto eastbound I-69.

Combining the efforts may cut down on costs, with the contract bid out by MDOT, and lessen confusion as to who would be handling what portion of the work, all being paid for by insurance claims with the trucking company.

Additional work is expected to include power washing, which Burchell said she's been assured by the state Department of Environmental Quality -- who cleaned out the storm sewer and is monitoring the area -- should eliminate the soot and smell.